rue the day

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

rue the day (third-person singular simple present rues the day, present participle ruing the day, simple past and past participle rued the day)

1. (idiomatic) To seriously regret one's actions.
   • 1987, Withnail and I:

     I: I think there may be something living in there. I think there may be something alive.
     Withnail: What d'you mean? A rat?
     I: It's possible. It's possible.
     Withnail: Then the fucker will rue the day!

See also

• live to regret